NBA Notes

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New Orleans Hornets owner Tom Benson says changing his team's nickname to the Pelicans will create a bond with the city that could lead to a championship.

The Hornets announced Thursday they are going ahead with the name change. The NBA has to approve it, but Commissioner David Stern has said he wouldn't object to any name Benson chose. The league is expected to expedite the change at the start of next season.

The new color scheme is blue, gold and red, a departure from the Hornets' teal, purple, gold and white.

ALL-STAR RESERVES

San Antonio's Tim Duncan was selected to his 14th All-Star Game, Spurs teammate Tony Parker is joining him, and the Chicago Bulls also had two reserves chosen for next month's game in Houston.

Joakim Noah and Luol Deng were picked from the Bulls. Noah is one of five first-time All-Stars for the East, along with New York's Tyson Chandler, Indiana's Paul George, Cleveland's Kyrie Irving, and Philadelphia's Jrue Holiday. Miami's Chris Bosh, picked for his eighth All-Star team, rounded out the East squad.

West forwards David Lee (Golden State), LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland) and Zach Randolph (Memphis) were picked for the second time. Houston's James Harden was chosen for the first time and joins former Oklahoma City teammate Russell Westbrook, headed to his third All-Star Game in a row.

RUBIO FRUSTRATED

Ricky Rubio's left knee has been slow to come around this season. So have the crunch-time minutes and the victories for his Minnesota Timberwolves. That all adds up to one frustrated point guard.

Rubio didn't hide his disappointment with sitting out the fourth quarter Wednesday in a loss to Brooklyn. He wants to be out there and helping his injury-plagued team close out tight games. Acting coach Terry Porter says he stuck with J.J. Barea because the Wolves needed more scoring punch.

Rubio said he understood the logic, but still wants to be on the floor more as he continues working his way back from a torn ACL.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Duncan missed a second consecutive game after the ailing duo didn't make the trip for tonight's game at Dallas. Popovich stayed home sick and Duncan sat on the bench because of a sore left knee Wednesday night against New Orleans. Longtime assistant coach Mike Budenholzer will again take the helm against the Mavericks. ...

Cleveland assigned newly acquired guard Josh Selby to their Canton affiliate in the NBA Development League. Selby joined the Cavaliers on Tuesday in the trade from Memphis along with center Marreese Speights, guard Wayne Ellington and a future first-round draft pick. Cleveland sent forward Jon Leuer to the Grizzlies.

Because of league paperwork, the trade wasn't finalized until Thursday and the new Cavaliers have yet to practice. Speights and Ellington will not play in tonight's home game against Milwaukee and might not play until next week.

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